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Duluth, MN (NNCNOW.com) --- Primary Election Day is less than a week away on Tuesday, August 12. Voters will determine which candidates will represent their political party in the November General Election.

Minnesota voters will vote on a U.S. Senate seat, all of Minnesota's eight U.S. House seats, Governor, other state officers and all Minnesota State House seats.

This year's primary races in many counties also include county commissioners, county sheriffs, county attorneys, auditors, treasurers and recorders.

The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State wants to point out that voting for candidates from more than one party voids all votes in the party portion of the ballot.

The backside of the ballot will include nonpartisan races for local and judicial candidates that are not affiliated with political parties, the office said (voters can choose any candidate for these races).

Minnesota voters can get ready to vote by clicking here to check your registration status, find your polling location, learn how to register at your polling place and more.

The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State has laid out the following 2014 key election dates:

–August 12 – Primary Election Day.–September 19 – Absentee ballots will be available for the November 4 General Election.–October 14 – Pre–registration deadline for the General Election. Voters are encouraged to pre–register to vote to avoid long lines and waits at the polling place. Voters who miss this deadline may still register at their polling place on Election Day, November 4.–November 4 – General Election Day.You can view all of the election dates by clicking here.

The office assures voters that they still have time to request an absentee ballot online in order to vote early, or also at their local elections office before Primary Election Day. Minnesota voters do not need an excuse (being ill, etc...) to vote absentee for the first time.